December 2010
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS In side this issue
THE DISTRICT NOTES District I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
P2
Distinguished Service Award
P3
Profiles in Leadership
P 4-5
State News
P 6-7
New Fellows
P8
Association of Retiring Dentists
P 9
Haitian Health Foundation
P 11
District Officers, Necrology
Regent’s letter My first order of business as the new Regent for District One is to recognize and thank my good friend and predecessor, Marie Christine Benoit, for her outstanding tenure as our Regent. Christine gave the ICD her heart and soul for many years, and the District experienced tremendous growth under her leadership. Her energy and enthusiasm may never be matched, but I promise to try to live up to her legacy. It is my pleasure to announce that the College will not lose Christine’s talents; she has been appointed by USA Section President Ted Roberson to serve the College at Large as an International Councilor. The recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award, Jeremiah Lowney’s Haitian Health Foundation received a $5000.00 grant from the ICD’s USA Section Foundation. Dr. Lowney has been working to improve the health of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country for many years, long before the devastating earthquake brought public attention to the plight of its people. The grant money was used to hire a dentist to provide oral hygiene education and dental care to children in Southwest Haiti. Another project that has some District One ties, Mission of Mercy, also received a $5000 grant from the Foundation. The Foundation has been recently realigned with the USA Section to enhance its success.
Both Colleges have strong mutual interest in the promotion of dental leadership and ethical behavior, and they have many Fellows in common. The College has made the decision to replace our old Convocation robes, which the College owned, with robes rented through a service. This will allow us to take in more new Fellows than before. If any of you know of a deserving colleague who should receive the honor of Fellowship, please contact your state’s Deputy Regent. District I Regent
Joseph Kenneally This year, District One is proud to honor Tufts’ Dean Lonnie Norris as our 2011 Distinguished Fellow. I had the pleasure of having Lonnie as a clinical instructor during my final years as a dental student, and I remember him as a kind and caring educator. He moved into the Dean’s position in 1995, and the school’s growth and development since then has been phenomenal. Please attend our Annual Luncheon at noon on the Friday of Yankee Dental Congress, January 28, 2011, and help us honor one of the most accomplished Deans in the long history of the dental program at Tufts. The USA Section of the ICD is currently working with the leadership of the American College of Dentists to explore the possibility of holding a joint meeting, probably in the Spring of 2012.
Our new team of leaders in the District includes some new and some familiar faces. Former Rhode Island Deputy Regent Frank Connor has agreed to step up into the position of Vice Regent. Frank is a wellrespected dental leader who brings broad experience to the position. Jeffrey Dodge will take over Frank’s duties in Rhode Island, joining two other new Deputy Regents. Lisa Vouras has been appointed to succeed Anthony Giamberardino in Massachusetts, and Demitrioula Kouzounas will follow Lisa Howard in Maine. The District thanks Lisa H. and Tony for their dedicated and capable service, and looks forward to the contributions of Lisa V. and Demi in the coming years. Returning Deputy Regents will include Robert Carnevale in Connecticut, Judi Fisch in Vermont, and Eliot Paisner in New Hampshire. Eliot has agreed to continue as the Editor of our District Notes, and Frank Connor will continue to serve as the District’s Editor for the Key. Both men continue to do a great job. Contact information for all of the District’s leadership team can be found at the end of the newsletter, or online at www.usa-icd.org. (continued next page)
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(continued from pg 1) Our Peace Corps project, through which incoming candidates joining the Peace Corps receive free examination and x-rays prior to service, has 46 participants in District One. We could use a few more volunteers so that our existing participants are not overwhelmed. If you would like to sign up, contact your state’s Deputy Regent or sign up via the ICD website by requesting to be added as a volunteer on the “Contact” tab. The Massachusetts Dental Society’s MDS Connection received the 2010 ICD Silver Scroll Award for Journalism. Fellow David Becker is the MDS’ Editor, and the staff editor is Melissa Carman. Another notable awardee with ties to District One is Tufts alumnus and former ICD Secretary General Dr. Robert Brady, who garnered the prestigious Ottofy-Okomura Award for service to the College. The Annual ICD Student Leadership Awards, which include a monetary gift from our District, went to Gary Alan Nord, Jr., of BU; Timothy P. Moriarty, of UConn; Carrie Yen Tsai, of Harvard; and Meghann M. Dombroski, of Tufts.
The ICD is looking for a signature project that people would grow to identify with the College. The ICD is a nexus for dental leadership worldwide, and it enjoys worldwide connections. We are seeking to coordinate our efforts and develop a unified plan. I invite any Fellow with a brilliant idea to contact me at jkenneally@roadrunner.com. The addition of Christine Benoit as an International Councilor representing the USA Section gives District One four members out of the ten allotted to the USA on the Council. Christine joins former District One Regents Van Zissi and Steve Tonelli and me on the Council. This recognition highlights the commitment that District One’s Fellows have had for many years, and this continued hard work and enthusiasm for the profession makes us the envy of the College. It is truly my honor to serve this group as Regent. In Fellowship, Joseph Kenneally, DMD
Dr. Norris to receive Distinguished Service Award Dr. Lonnie H. Norris will receive the Distinguished Service Award during the Awards Luncheon to be held on January 28, 2011, at the Seaport Hotel. The luncheon will be held at the Lighthouse Room at noon. Please contact Regent Joseph Kenneally to attend. Dr. Lonnie H. Norris is the Dean at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and a tenured professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He has been a faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine since 1980. Dr. Norris was appointed Interim Dean in July 1995 and Dean in February 1996. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academy of Practice in Dentistry. He served as an American Dental Education Association (ADEA) representative to the Commission on Dental Education, as Chair of the Council of Deans on the American Dental Education Association's administrative board, served on the Board of Trustees for the ADEA Gies Foundation, and as advisor for ADEA Leadership Institute. Dr. Norris is a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the International College of Dentists, the American Academy of Dental Science, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has served as a member of its Advisory Committee as a Board Examiner. Further, he was a member of the Test Construction Committee of the American Dental Associa-
tion's Joint Commission of National Dental Examiners. In 1998, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Norris was awarded the Tufts University Provost's Medal in May 2008. Dr. Norris earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from Harvard University before completing a postgraduate residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts. He received his undergraduate degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Dr. Norris lives in Wellesley, MA, with his wife Donna, a child psychiatrist; the two recently celebrated 44 years of marriage. Their children are Marlaina, an emergency room physician in New York City and Michael, a research analyst at a New York City investment firm.
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PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP While so many of the Fellows in ICD have worked hard in dentistry and made a significant impact, a few stand out for their dedication to the profession and the College. Outgoing District I Regent, Christine Benoit, and incoming Regent, Joseph Kenneally, are notable among those who continue to work tirelessly on our behalf. Ed
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Christine Benoit Christine Benoit practices general dentistry in rural Charlestown, Rhode Island, where she is a partner with Arrowhead Dental Associates. Her involvement in state and New England dentistry spans many years and includes volunteering dental services, state dental association roles, and activity with the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. Christine’s accomplishments embrace all of the attributes to which the College aspires. She has worked through positions in the Rhode Island Dental Association, culminating as President in 2002-2003. In 2001 Dr. Benoit received the Pierre Fauchard Academy Outstanding Service Award and in 2004 was awarded the State of Rhode Island Woman of the Year. Christine has held numerous committee and council positions in the International College. She received the ICD Distinguished Deputy Regent Award in 1999. Inducted in 1995 to the International College, Dr. Benoit has served as Deputy Regent, District One Vice-Regent and Regent. She served as District Key Editor from 1998-2002 and recently has been appointed International Councilor. Christine and dentist husband, Bruce Gouin, have two children, Brendan Gouin, DMD and Annick Gouin. Somehow she finds the time and energy to enjoy tennis, gardening, theater and her German Shepherd.
Joseph Kenneally Joe Kenneally, a life long Mainer, comes to the ICD District One Regent position with an extensive list of credentials. His involvement in organized dentistry started in the mid-1980’s and has never ceased. Joe’s journey has seen him going through the local, state and national dental scenes. He has held nearly every position in the Maine Dental Association and has been involved with the ADA as Long Term Delegate, Committee and Council member and Second VicePresident. Dr. Kenneally’s journey with the International College has been long and successful. Inducted in 1995, Joe was appointed Deputy Regent for Maine in 1997. As Deputy Regent, he was honored with the Distinguished Deputy Regent Award in 2002. He has served as District One editor, Vice-Regent, International Councilor, College Information Technology Committee Chair and as of January 1, 2011, District One Regent. He has received numerous professional awards including being elected to the Maine Dental Association “Honor Wall”. Additionally, Joe is the 2010 James W Etherington Award recipient (ADA District One highest honor). Joe and his wife, Dr. Lisa Howard, and their four children enjoy all of what Maine has to offer. He especially enjoys a variety of sports, painting, travel and technology.
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STATE NEWS Connecticut Jon Davis was inducted as CSDA President and was presented the ICD Leadership Award. Also in the CSDA hierarchy are Bruce Tandy, Carolyn Malon, Brian Duchan, Perry Opin and Ken Sunshine. Ken Sunshine was elected to the AAE Board of Directors; Adolph Bushell received the Spirit of Service Lifetime Dental Community Award from the AAE.
Installed as officers of the Horace Wells Society are Howard Mark, Thomas Gavin , and Jeanne Strathearn. Jeanne Strathearn will be receiving the prestigious Etherington Award during YDC 2011.
Jeremiah Lowney was bestowed the ICD Distinguished Service Award during the Awards Luncheon in January. Dr. Lowney gave a heart felt history of the Haitian Health Foundation.
Jerry Lowney in Haiti
Maine The Fellows of the Maine Section were very active this year. Barry Saltz and incoming Deputy Regent Demi Kouzounas co-chaired and organized the Greater Portland Dental Society’s 2nd Annual “Dentists Who Care For ME” program, which provided free care for over 600 needy people on November 6. Twenty-five dentists donated over $100,000 worth of dentistry in a single day. MDA Long Term Delegate Jeffrey Dow was elected Trustee of the American Dental Association’s First District. We know that Jeff will be a strong voice on the ADA Board. Other Fellows in the current leadership
of the Maine Dental Association include Paul Zimmerman , President; Dean Tourigny, President-Elect; Frances Miliano,Executive Director; and Karl Woods, Secretary. Immediate Past President Jonathan Shenkin currently serves on the ADA Council on Communications and as an ADA Media Spokesperson.
Denise Theriault is the current President of the Maine Board of Dental Examiners, Charles Zois is the Secretary/Treasurer, and David Moyer is the complaint officer. Newly-retired Jerrold Cohen will complete his service to the Board in January. Lisa Howard has been ap-
Lisa Howard presents leadership book to Paul Zimmerman
pointed to the AAO Political Action Committee.
Massachusetts ICD Fellows are well represented among the leadership of the Massachusetts Dental Society. The current MDS President is John Fisher with newly elected Fellow Charles Silvius as President-Elect and Paula Friedman as Vice President. Also serving on the Executive Board of the MDS are Anthony Giamberardino as Secretary and Lisa Vouras as Assistant Secretary. Fellows serving on the Board of Trustees include Michael Wasserman, Tofigh Raayai, Tom
Trowbridge, Janice Moriarty and David Becker. Robert Faiella is serving his fourth and final year as the First
District Trustee to the ADA and has announced his candidacy to run for President-Elect of the ADA in 2011. In addition to her role as MDS Trustee, Janis Moriarty is serving as General Chair for the upcoming Yankee Dental Congress 2011. Fellow Anthony (Tom) Borgia recently became the Chair of the Endodontic Department at the West Virginia School of Dentistry. John Horack, Jr is being recognized by NERB for 40 years of service. Thomas Winkler, III is President of the American College of Dentists.
Tony Giamberardino presents the leadership book to John Fisher
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STATE NEWS New Hampshire The Annual Meeting of NH Fellows occurred in September highlighted by a presentation on “Communication”. An informational report was given by Regent Christine Benoit. Special guests included Vice-regent Joe Kenneally, Deputy Regents Lisa Howard and Tony Giamberardino, and Deputy Registrar Vangel Zissi. Hugh Phillis received the Charles Lambrukous Award from the NHDS Foundation in honor of his many years of teaching at Tufts Dental. Charles Albee and Neil Hiltenun continue to serve on the
NH Board of Dental Examiners, with Neil as its President. Dr. Albee also is President of the New Hampshire Dental Society Foundation and Editor for the New England Dental Society. Eliot Paisner is the NHDS Foundation Vice-President. Dr. Hiltenun and Donald Johnson are cofounders of the Association of Retiring Dentists which presented an educational program in September (see pg 8). The New Hampshire Dental Society Executive Committee boasts as members: Richard Vachon, Earle Simpson, Pamela Baldassarre and Glenda Reynolds.
NH Annual Meeting
Rhode Island Andrew Molak recently concluded a six year term as a member of the Rhode Island Board of Dental Examiners and served as chairman for the past year. Richard Walsh received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He served as Trustee from Region 2 and also served as Section Chair for Rhode Island. Steven Brown received the Dean’s Teaching Award from Brown Medical School. Mark Small is serving as President of RIDA. Other officers include Barbara Cavicchio as President-Elect, Steven Brown , Vice President and Marian Royer as Secretary-Treasurer.
Ed Mehlman continues to serve as Long Term Delegate. Jeffrey Dodge is the new Deputy Regent for Rhode Island. Frank Connor was elected Treasurer of ADPAC for the coming year. Frank will assume the position of ICD Vice-Regent in January 2011. Christine Benoit completed a very successful and fruitful term as our Regent for District I and will become an International Councilor. We want to thank Chris for all the hard work and dedication she has performed on our behalf and look forward to her future Mark Small receives a leadership book from Frank contributions to ICD. Connor
Vermont The 2010 Convocation ceremony in Orlando, Florida welcomed 3 new members from the state of Vermont. R Scott DeBruin is the current President of the Vermont State Dental Society and practices in Enosburg Falls, Vermont. David Baasch is a Past President of the VSDS and practices in Wallingford, Vermont and Gregory Mauer is also a Past President of the VSDS and practices in Vergennes, Vermont. These 3 new inductees join the 25 members of the International College of Dentists from the state of Vermont.
Within the ICD leadership of Vermont, Paul Kenworthy has become our new Counselor. Paul practices in Essex Junction, Vermont. Jeffrey Berkowitz continues as our Leadership Coordinator. In the early spring of 2010, oral health care kits were donated to the Care Net Pregnancy Center in Rutland, Vermont. This organization provides support for pregnant teenagers and unwed mothers and they were very appreciative of the ICD donation. Judi Fisch addressing a Leadership Conference
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MEET THE NEW FELLOWS Orlando 2010 CARLOS ABBOUD received his specialty training in periodontics at the Department of Advanced Periodontal and Implant Surgery at Loma Linda, California. In addition to his clinical practice, he has held academic positions as a clinical instructor at Loma Linda University and at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine.
DAVID BAASCH of Wallingford, VT, is a graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School. David served for seven years on the Vermont State Dental Society Executive Board, the last as its President. David is presently serving on the Vermont Dental Recruitment Committee. David travels to Africa regularly to provide dental care at a clinic that he helped start in Zimbabwe. David and family have used music (classical ensemble) to raise money and spread awareness of the AIDS pandemic worldwide traveling across the U.S., Europe, Africa, China and South America.
DAVID BECKER received his DMD from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Becker is active in local, state and national dental affairs. He has been involved with the Massachusetts Dental Society serving on the Board of Trustees and most notably Assistant Editor and Editor of the Journal of the Mass Dental Society. As Journal editor, he has received national awards from the American Dental Association and the International College of Dentists. He was honored with the 2009 Distinguished Editor Award by the American Association of Dental Editors.
ELLIOT S BERMAN is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry and is senior attending staff at the Hartford Hospital where he also is the Associate Director, Department of Dentistry. In addition, Dr. Berman is Dental Commissioner for the State of Connecticut, Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut Dental School and a Board Examiner for the Northeast Regional Board.
J OHN DEAN received his DDS from the School of Dentistry, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, and his certificate in Periodontology from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Dean obtained his PhD from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. From 1997 to 2009 he was Clinical Associate Professor/ Residency Program Director in the Department of Periodontology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine.
R.SCOTT DEBRUIN , DDS is a graduate of the University of Detroit School of Dentistry Class of 1989 and participated in the GPR at the VA Hospital, Ann Arbor Michigan. In private practice general dentistry in Enosburg Falls, Vermont, since 1990, Scott and his wife Julie have two daughters Emily, 15 and McKenzie, 12.
RUTH S GOLDBLATT DMD is a 1990 graduate of the Connecticut School of Dental Medicine where she currently is an Associate Clinical Professor. She is also the Dental Director at the Hebrew Home and Hospital in West Hartford, CT. Dr. Goldblatt is extremely active in state initiatives to increase access to care for the underserved and is currently working on an NIH sponsored grant to build oral health infrastructure for urban seniors. Dr. Goldblatt and her husband, Loel, are the parents of two teenage sons, Ari and Noah. Ruth enjoys needlepoint, cooking and genealogy.
ELLIOT KIMMEL of Watertown, CT received his dental degree and MS in Oral Biology from Loyola University School of Dentistry. A Past President of the New London County Dental Society, he is currently a delegate to the Conn State Dental Association House of Delegates and a member of the CSDA Judicial Committee. He is active in community affairs and enjoys tandem cycling. CONSTANTINOS LASKARIDES is an Assistant Professor and the course director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He received his DMD degree from Tufts University and his DDS and PharmD degrees from the University of Athens in Greece. He completed his residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts and Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Laskari des is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He maintains a clinical interest and lectures nationally and internationally on advanced dental implant surgery, facial cosmetics and cleft lip and palate. J ACK LEVINE received his DDS degree from Temple University School of Dentistry and has studied at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. He is a Fellow of The Academy of General Dentistry. He has been selected by the ADA for the International Development Committee and has been honored with Fellowships in The Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. He is a member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Levine is the author of professional papers and is a consultant for dental offices. He is on the Board of Directors of Himalayan Health Care and a consultant for Remote Medical International.
WILLIAM A LOBEL is a 1972 graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing general dentistry for 30 years. Dr. Lobel has been a faculty member at Tufts for 12 years in the Department of Prosthetics, Operative and General Dentistry and has a special interest in removable prosthetics. He is involved in continuing education both academically and at dental meetings.
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MEET THE NEW FELLOWS Orlando 2010 GREGORY MAURER of Vergennes, Vermont received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has served on the Continuing Education and Peer Review Committees of the Vermont State Dental Society and is a Past President of the VSDS. Greg is in general practice and when not in the office serves his community through Lions Clubs International. An avid golfer, he also enjoys trumpet and cycling. Greg and his wife, Alice, have two grown children. PARVIZ SADOOGHI obtained his dental education from the National University of Iran and Boston University School of Dental Medicine and is Board Eligible in Prosthodontics. Dr. Sadooghi has taught prosthodontics at New York University, Tufts University and Boston University School of Dental Medicine. He maintains a clinical practice in Quincy, MA.
ROSS J SANFILIPPO is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine with a Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from Nassau County Medical Center in New York. He is Past-President of the medical staff and chairman of the Bylaws Committee at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut. He and his wife, Dr. Donna Sanfilippo, have four children and reside in southeastern Connecticut.
CHARLES SILVIUS is a graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry. Charles currently is President-Elect of the Massachusetts Dental Society and practices general dentistry in Revere, MA. Dr. Silvius and his wife Barbara have two sons. He is a consummate “do-ityourselfer.”
EARLE SIMPSON received his DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Simpson has served in all of the positions of the New Hampshire Dental Society including President of that organization and continues as its Secretary. During his years in private practice Earle maintained a strong connection to public health dentistry and currently serves as Director of the Easter Seals Dental Clinic in Manchester, NH. DEAN TOURIGNY of Biddeford, Maine, is a graduate of Northwestern University Dental School and is President-Elect of the Maine Dental Association. He has been active in the York County Dental Society serving as Representative and President and is on the Steering Committee of the Biddeford Free Clinic’s Dental Awareness Center. Dr. Tourigny enjoys reading, racquetball, carpentry and landscaping. Dean and his wife, Kathleen, have one child, Angelina.
GARY WARRINGTON is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where he received his DMD. He obtained his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the New England Medical Center Hospital and is a Diplomate to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. An avid skier, Gary enjoys ski vacations with his wife, Karen and daughters Sarah and Lindsay.
CHARLES H Z OIS is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he received his DDS in 1965. After serving a one year term as intern at the Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey, Charles practiced general dentistry until 2007. He is currently associated with Community Dental in Biddeford, ME, treating Maine Care patients and the indigent. A member of the South Berwick, ME, Rotary Club since 1969, he has participated in many dental community activities including Doctors with a Heart, Kimball Health Center, and Donated Dental Services. Dr. Zois currently serves as a Northeast Regional Board Examiner and is an active member of the Maine Dental Board.
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Association of Retiring Dentists “The increasing number of retiring dentists has begun. With greater time availability more and more of us will seek ways to enhance our lives and the lives of others as we envision and create a new future.” (From the introduction to the Association of Retiring Dentists web site.) Founding member, Fellow Neil Hiltunen, provided this synopsis of a recent meeting of ARD in Manchester, NH. Fellows are encouraged to use this resource – Ed
The aging population is not unique to the United States. Throughout the industrialized world people are living longer in spite of many chronic diseases. The new challenge is to be more healthy and productive in our later years. The concept and reality of retirement is changing, opening new doors and creating new opportunities for those in the later stages of their careers and lives. Dentists are well positioned to take full advantage of this boom because they generally have a greater ability to make choices that influence their futures. This is the reason for the Association of Retiring Dentists (ARD), to help dentists make their later years the best and most meaningful of their lives. This organization is intended to provide a network for retiring dentists to share experiences and explore opportunities that can help themselves, each other, and perhaps the world as the world’s population booms and health becomes an ever-increasing concern. The ARD is a new organization which recently held its second annual meeting in Manchester, NH, featuring Steve Vernon as the main speaker whose topic was “Recession-Proof Your Retirement Years”. Steve presented clear, simple strategies to help us enjoy the process of retiring. Planned well, with judicious use of funds, good health, and responsible life style, our retirement years can be productive and fulfilling. He presented statistics showing that people who work, live longer than those who don’t. In addition to Steve’s presentation we heard other brief presentations on psychology, retirement living options, and health care , as well as the transition experiences of three dentists. We learned the importance of establishing a regular routine for living, once the regular routine of work is gone. Our older dentists were very motivating and enthusiastic as they discussed their experiences with transition. It was clear that with proper preparation older dentists can have the best time of their lives ahead of them. It also seems that with global opportunities and many commonalities with dentists in other countries, this concept of an international community of retiring dentists has enormous potential. Please visit our website www.retiringdentists.com to find out more about us, and join if you are so inclined. We are looking for motivated dentists to help advance our organization.
Neil S. Hiltunen, DMD, FAGD Donald E. Johnson, DMD Co-Founders, Association of Retiring Dentists
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Interview with Skip Homicz On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake brought unimaginable death and destruction to Haiti. Volunteers from all over the world rushed to provide humanitarian aid to the devastated country. Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, Jr, founder of the Haitian Health Foundation, was among those volunteers, but then, Dr. Lowney has been providing aid to Haitians in need since 1982. In spite of his many obligations, Dr. Lowney, of Norwich, CT, has found the time to visit Haiti every three months for the past twenty eight years. He began by spending a week extracting teeth and eventually created a multimillion dollar health care facility in one of Haiti’s neediest areas. The relief he has brought to Haiti includes dental treatment, centers for at-risk pregnant women, and help for malnourished children. The Haitian Health Foundation provides meals and clothing to residents, operates a K-7 school and funds approximately 1,700 students through its education program. The Foundation’s Happy House Program builds homes for residents. (Robert Carnevale)
Since 1980 Alfonse (Skip) Homicz of New Hampshire has been a Volunteer dentist in Haiti and has volunteered for the Haitian Health Foundation, established by 2009 Distinguished Award recipient Jeremiah Lowney. The following are some of Skip’s thoughts about Haiti and the clinic. Ed
Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with conditions varying from squalid to primitive for most of the population. That was before the recent catastrophic earthquake and flooding. The Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) was born out of Dr. Jeremiah Lowney’s efforts more than 25 years ago. Operating in one of the poorest and most primitive areas in the southwest, a public health system was developed reaching more than 100 rural mountain villages with Jeremie as the hub. Haitians were trained as health agents to educate and deliver services in the remote villages. A large out-patient facility was constructed providing primary care, perinatal, dental and vision services. A Center of Hope provides residential care for high risk pregnant women and malnourished children. HHF services have reached more than 225,000 individuals. (Skip Homicz) When did you start going to Haiti? What got you interested? On a Sunday morning in 1980, a local internist and I sat over breakfast. We talked about doing more in areas of greater health needs. At the Skip Homicz at work with a Haitian dentist time we had a connection with a couple in Laconia, NH who supported Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity in Haiti. After cursory discussions we were encouraged to go to Port-Au-Prince. The result was a 10 day trip to the capital and the outlying town of Jackmel. I had a duffel bag full of exodontia instruments and supplies, anesthetics, sterilizing solutions, antibiotics and analgesics. We stayed in a local guest house but set up shop anywhere the nuns directed us schools, churches, hallways, and their Children's Home and The Home for the Destitute and the Dying. The lessons were the magnitude of charitable efforts needed in Haiti, the squalor and suffering in which people exist but the positive effect a few dedicated missionaries can have for those most in need. Can you share some early experiences in Haiti? Jerry Lowney had a similar initial experience but the upshot of his trip was the construction of the facility in Jeremie, reached only with much difficulty, danger and time over land or a 30 minute flight to a grass strip. The realization of his efforts is nothing short of miraculous considering the size of the project, lack of materials, roads, skilled and disciplined labor, bureaucracy and graft. The concrete edifice was under construction during our first two adventures to Jeremie but we traveled daily to remote village, often mountainous, locations by a combination of pick-up, mule and hiking. Treatment was rendered in central meeting areas where there was light and ventilation. Extractions for all comers, young children to the elderly, most dressed in their Sunday best. Between twenty and thirty people were seen daily. With auxiliary help all the supplies and necessary equipment was carried in and out. Primitive but effective. Please briefly describe how the clinic has changed since you started going there. On subsequent visits, as the clinic was finished, we continued to take services to the remote areas; then as dental equipment became available, time was spent at the end of the day dealing with the local needs. Electricity and water are sporadic at best so suction and compressed air needed for restorative care were a challenge; however, amalgams and composites and sealants could be placed. More recently a Haitian dentist, as part of her required service, was hired to staff the clinic. Her work is supplemented by volunteer efforts and continue in the outreach areas. The Haitian Health Foundation under Dr. Lowney's direction has continually added programs to meet needs and foster self sufficiency. Examples of these include educational and nutritional efforts for children and families, livestock, home construction and most recently in-house care for women with high risk pregnancies and malnourished children and families. It is a comprehensive, public health effort. What comprises a typical team? DDSs, MDs, RNs, auxiliaries, pharmacists, etc. I went by myself or with family or staff but frequently met other volunteers with various skills that were utilized throughout construction and maintenance of the facilities. A full team of health professionals from Dover, NH including MDs, nurses, auxiliaries and Dr. Kevin Dugas, a Durham dentist, travels to Jeremie annually. Is there a wish list of equipment or materials? Money works especially since the devastation of the earthquake last February. Anything else? The Haitian Health Foundation, under Dr. Lowney, has created a public health system in the face of primitive infrastructure, lack of government and lack of natural resources that makes available a quality of life where it has not exited. Please visit www.HaitianHealthFoundation.org for information regarding donations and the Foundation’s response to the recent spike in Cholera cases– Ed
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NH Fellows at work
ME Fellows in Orlando
Haitian children awaiting treatment
2011 Awards Luncheon Invitation Look for your invitation or contact Joe Kenneally
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DISTRICT OFFICERS Regent
Rhode Island
Joseph Kenneally
Jeffrey Dodge
6 Wellspring Road
1438 Park Avenue
Biddeford, ME 04005
Woonsocket, RI 02895
207-283-1752
410-762-3044
Dr. Raymond F. Cole, Jr. (MA)
jkenneally@roadrunner.com
drjedodge@earthlink.net
Dr. William C. Hudson, Jr.(CT)
Vice Regent Francis Connor 123 School Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 401-724-7230 uoms@aol.com
Deputy Regents
District I Necrology Report, 2010 It is with sadness that we remember those Fellows who passed away during the past year.
Dr. Domenic E. Leco (MA) Vermont
Dr. Daniel G. Mahoney (MA)
Judith Fisch
Dr. A. Howard McLaughlin (CT)
204 N Main Street Rutland, VT 05701 802-775-5286
Dr. Richard L. Miner (NH) Dr. Robert W. Tirrell, Jr. (VT)
drjfisch@comcast.net
Connecticut Robert Carnevale 2 Shaws Cove New London, CT 06320-4975 860-443-1114 bob@carnevaleperio.com
Mission
Maine Demitroula Kouzounas 361 Seaside Avenue Saco ME 04072 USA 207-934-1877
jpenna@maine.rr.com Massachusetts Lisa Vouras 85 Woburn St Reading, MA 01867 781-944-4940 lmolar@comcast.net New Hampshire Eliot Paisner 78 NE Boulevard Nashua, NH 03062 603-883-6546 eliot@drpaisner.com
The International College of Dentists is a leading honorary dental organization dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement and meritorious service and the continued progress of the profession of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind.
December 2010
Upcoming Events ICD Awards Luncheon – Fri. Jan 28, 2011 12:00-1:45 p.m. Distinguished Service Award Recipient Dean Lonnie H. Norris- Boston’s Seaport hotel Connecticut ICD meeting—May 13, 2011 Mohegan Sun Resort ICD/USA Convocation – Las Vegas October 10, 2011
ICD/USA – District I Eliot L Paisner, DMD, Editor 78 NE Blvd Nashua, NH 03062
www.usa-icd.org
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS